PROMPT: YOU’VE NEVER FELT THE SAME AFTER LEARNING MORSE CODE. THE RAIN KEEPS TELLING YOU TO RUN.
My response. I would love to see your all’s responses in the comments (no judgments on “your all’s,” please. I’m from Kentucky, and here it’s a totally valid phrase.).
TRIGGER WARNING: SENSITIVE CONTENT
I was conscripted into the military. We all were, really. The unit I was assigned to was being prepared for infiltration behind enemy lines, and I learned their languages. One of those languages I learned was a system of dashes and dots they called Morse Code, after the man who invented it. And it changed my life forever.
Ever since I learned it, I’ve heard messages in places that made no sense. The rain tells me to run.
.-. ..- -.
The treads of a tank rolling by tell me to hide.
…. .. -.. .
The drums played at a nearby temple tell me time is running out.
– .. — . / .. … / .-. ..- -. -. .. -. –. / — ..- –
Even the anchor chain of a ship in the harbor says to get away.
–. . – / .- .– .- -.–
This morning, as I look up to see two small planes flying over, a motorcycle goes by, and the engine growls that it’s too late.
– — — / .-.. .- – .
My world is suddenly filled with blinding light. When my vision clears, I see a strange cloud rising over Hiroshima. A blast of hurricane-force wind slams into me, and then I feel nothing at all.
I should have listened.